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John reports two appearances to the disciples in Jerusalem. The first was on resurrection Sunday itself (vv.19-20). They were frightened and had locked themselves in. But locked doors were no bar to the risen Lord, and into their fear he spoke peace (cf. 14:27). Like Mary, their mood changed instantly to joy. Then followed a solemn tripartite commissioning. Jesus first passed on to them a task like his (v.21). He had been sent into the world by the Father; now in the same way he was sending them. They were to be apostles of the one Apostle. To this commission there is only one appropriate response:
Forth in Thy name, O Lord, I go,
My daily labor to pursue;
Thee, only Thee, resolved to know
In all I think or speak or do.
(Charles Wesley)
He then formally bestowed on them the promised Holy Spirit (cf. 1:33; 4:14; 7:37-39; 14:15-17, 25-26; 15:26-27; 16:5-15). Finally, he linked their ministry to that of the Spirit-Counselor. When the Counselor convicted of sin, for instance (cf. 16:8-9), it would be through believers who were open to him (cf. 15:26-27) rather than directly to the world, which was not (cf. 14:17).
Thomas was not present the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples, and he doubted their account (vv.24-25). But he was convinced when the Lord appeared in the same way a week later (vv.26-27), and he made a profound confession of faith in Jesus (v.28). Adam Clarke emphasized the significance of Thomas’s declaration (p. 659). The entire Gospel is bracketed between 1:1-2 and 20:28-31, and these verses define for John what belief really means. With v.29 cf. 17:20-23.